Sleep Tracking: Battery Drain And Your Privacy

Sleep tracking apps have been known to drain phone batteries. While some users report that their phone's battery drained by 30% after 7 hours of sleep, others claim that their Apple Watch's battery drained by 50% overnight. Some sources claim that the watch does the same amount of work whether or not a sleep-tracking app is installed. However, others argue that the watch's battery life is impacted by the constant heart rate and activity tracking, along with the processing of sensor data. To mitigate this issue, users can keep their phones plugged in while using sleep-tracking apps or purchase an external charger.

Does Sleep Tracking Drain Battery?

MotionX 24/7 drains 30% of iPhone 6 battery in 7 hours

Sleep tracking apps have been known to drain phone batteries. MotionX 24/7 is a sleep-tracking app that can be used on the iPhone 6. One user reported that their iPhone 6's battery drained by 30% after 7 hours of sleep when using MotionX 24/7. This is a significant drain on the battery, especially considering that a phone battery has a finite number of charges.

There are ways to mitigate battery drain when using sleep-tracking apps. One way is to keep the phone plugged in while the app is in use. Another way is to manage the battery by keeping the charge in the 40-80% range and minimizing the number of discharge cycles. Additionally, users can ensure that all background apps are closed before using sleep-tracking apps, as these can also drain the battery.

It is worth noting that some people dispute the claim that sleep-tracking apps drain the battery. They argue that the Watch tracks HR and activity all the time, whether or not third-party apps are installed. Sleep-tracking apps only analyze this data after it has been collected. However, the majority of users report a noticeable difference in battery life when using sleep-tracking apps.

Overall, while there are ways to mitigate battery drain, using a sleep-tracking app like MotionX 24/7 will likely result in a noticeable drain on the battery life of an iPhone 6.

The Apple Watch Series 5 drains 25% battery in 8 hours

The Apple Watch Series 5 is known to have issues with rapid battery drain. Several users have reported that the watch's battery drains quickly, sometimes dying in just five hours. This is a significant issue, as the watch is supposed to last for a full day on a single charge.

There are several potential causes and solutions for this problem. One possible cause is the "Always On" display setting, which can be disabled to conserve battery life. Additionally, performing a hard reset, unpairing and repairing the watch, and disabling certain features or apps may help improve battery performance. Some users have also reported that updating to the 10.5 version caused faster battery drain, and performing a forced restart or reset may be necessary.

It is important to note that sleep tracking apps can also contribute to battery drain. While some sources claim that these apps do not affect battery life, others argue that any running app will use battery power. Additionally, leaving the watch on your wrist overnight can trigger the proximity sensors and turn on the screen, draining the battery.

To mitigate battery drain, it is recommended to kill all background apps before sleeping and put the watch in bedtime mode. Regularly resetting and recharging the device may also help maintain optimal battery performance.

Bluetooth drains battery when connected to a sleep-tracking app

Sleep-tracking apps have been found to drain smartphone batteries. For example, MotionX 24/7 drained a new iPhone 6 by 30% after 7 hours of sleep. Sleep Cycle, Pillow, and other sleep-tracking apps have also been found to have a similar effect.

However, the impact of Bluetooth on battery life depends on whether it is being actively used or not. When idle, Bluetooth does not appear to affect battery life. A test performed by androidauthority.com found that leaving Bluetooth on consumed just 1.8% more battery over a 26-hour period compared to when it was turned off. This is because modern smartphones put Bluetooth radios to sleep when not in use, and they only wake up and scan for pairable devices when the smartphone is awake.

When Bluetooth is actively being used, it consumes a negligible amount of power, between 1-3% per day. Devices like key finders and fitness trackers fall into this category. On the other hand, devices that demand a constant quality connection, such as earbuds or portable speakers, will use a lot more power.

Therefore, while Bluetooth does drain the battery when connected to a sleep-tracking app, the impact is likely to be small, especially if the smartphone is idle for long periods during sleep.

Background apps can drain the battery when sleep-tracking

Background apps can have a significant impact on battery life when sleep-tracking. This is because, in addition to the sleep-tracking app itself, other apps running in the background will also be using battery power.

For example, on an Apple Watch, users have reported a battery drain of around 10-15% each night when using the default Apple Sleep tracker. However, this can increase to 20-25% if other apps are running in the background. Similarly, on an iPhone, the MotionX 24/7 sleep-tracking app has been reported to drain the battery by 30% over 7 hours of sleep. In contrast, leaving an iPhone plugged in overnight typically results in a battery drain of only 5%.

To minimize battery drain when sleep-tracking, it is recommended to close all background apps before starting. Additionally, putting the device into a low-power mode, such as theatre mode on the Apple Watch, can help reduce power consumption.

It is worth noting that the impact of background apps on battery life may vary depending on the specific device and operating system being used. For instance, some users have reported that Bluetooth connections can cause a significant increase in battery drain, while others have found that certain third-party sleep-tracking apps can have a more significant impact on battery life than native apps.

Overall, while sleep-tracking can drain the battery, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate this, such as closing background apps and utilizing low-power modes. By being mindful of these factors, users can maximize their device's battery life while still taking advantage of sleep-tracking features.

The Sleep Cycle alarm clock app recommends keeping the phone plugged in

The Sleep Cycle alarm clock app is a popular sleep tracking app with over a million users. It uses sound analysis to track and improve sleep, giving users a sleep score based on their sleep quality and helping them understand their sleep patterns. The app also provides insights and recommendations to help users achieve their sleep goals.

While the app offers many benefits, it is important to note that it can drain the phone's battery. This is a common issue with sleep tracking apps, as they run in the background and collect sensor data. The Sleep Cycle app recommends keeping the phone plugged in while it is monitoring sleep to mitigate this issue. By doing so, users can ensure that their phone has sufficient battery life to last through the night and continue providing sleep tracking insights.

Additionally, keeping the phone plugged in can help prolong the overall battery life of the device. Ideally, phone batteries should be kept within the 40-80% charge range to maintain optimal battery health. By plugging in the phone while using the Sleep Cycle app, users can maintain this ideal charge range and reduce the number of discharge cycles, thereby prolonging the battery's lifespan.

Furthermore, having the phone plugged in ensures that the Sleep Cycle app can function effectively without interruptions. This is especially important for those who rely on the app's alarm feature, which is designed to gently wake users during their lightest sleep phase. By keeping the phone plugged in, users can ensure that the app has the necessary power to monitor their sleep patterns and provide a smooth wake-up experience.

Frequently asked questions